Birmingham City pair poised to stay as soon-to-be free agent attracts interest

Birmingham City are preparing for life in League One as they look to gain an immediate promotion back to the Championship. They went down along with Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town.

The Blues have turned to Chris Davies as their new head coach. Here is a look at some of the latest news and rumours coming out of the club...

Player to stay

Krystian Bielik is poised to stay at Birmingham for next season, according to Polish news outlet Meczyki. The 26-year-old, who can play in defence and midfield, is under contract until 2026 and is expected to remain in the third tier.

The Poland international joined Arsenal as a youngster in 2015 from Legia Warsaw and went on to play twice for the first-team of the Premier League giants. He had loan spells away from the Emirates Stadium at Walsall and Charlton Athletic, as well as the Blues.

Bielik was snapped up by Derby County in 2019 and played 49 games for the Rams in all competitions.

Birmingham then re-signed him a couple of years ago and he has since made 76 appearances altogether.

Goalkeeper wanted

John Ruddy has emerged as a potential target for Charlton Athletic as they hunt for some more reinforcements to their goalkeeping department. As per London News Online, the Addicks have ‘explored’ a deal for the veteran stopper.

He has been offered an extension by the Blues with his current deal up at the end of the month. The ex-Norwich City man is due to become a free agent as things stand.

Striker latest

Birmingham are close to agreeing terms with striker Lukas Jutkiewicz regarding a new deal, according to a report by BirminghamLive. Like Ruddy, the attacker’s deal expires in a matter of weeks.

Davies could see the 35-year-old as someone to add more competition and depth to his attacking ranks. He has been with his current team since 2017 and has fired 67 goals in 331 games.

The Southampton-born man has also had stints in the past at Swindon Town, Everton, Coventry City, Middlesbrough and Burnley.

Loan ace targeted

Jay Stansfield has emerged on the radar of Hull City after his loan spell with the Blues last term. He scored 13 goals but has now gone back to Fulham.

HullLive claim the Tigers are admirers of the 21-year-old as they look to bring in some striking players over the next couple of months. They have seen the likes of Noah Ohio, Liam Delap, Aaron Connolly and Billy Sharp leave recently.

Other news

Former Birmingham defender Geraldo Bajrami has signed for Burton Albion following the end of his stay at Notts County. The Brewers have also acquired Elliot Watt from Salford City.

Carl Robinson, who was Wayne Rooney’s number two during his stint at St Andrews, has now moved over to America to become the new assistant manager of Atlanta United in MLS. The Welshman has been at Vancouver Whitecaps, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers so is no stranger to working overseas.